Magnetic fuel pump



Dec. 19, 1950 M. KATCHER 5 5 MAGNETIC FUEL PUMP Filed April 14, 1945 v 4Sheets-Sheet 1 2/ 5 zo 5 4 g s- F/GZ INVENTOR. Morr/s kafcher BY2- 5 W 7Dec. 19, 1950 M. KATCHER AGNET FUE mu 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 14,1945 Dec. 19, 1950 M. KATCHER 2,534,520

MAGNETIC FUEL PUMP Filed April 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 v INVENTOR. PMorris Marcher BYW/ Dec. I9,' 1950 M. KATCHER MAGNETIC FUEL PUMP 4Sheeis-Sheet 4 Filed April 14, 1945' INVENTOR. Mar/As Kafcher BY anw/zzPatented Dec. 19, 1950 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAGNETIC FUEL PUMPMorris Katcher, New York, N. Y. Application April 14, 1945, Serial No.588,341

This invention relates to a pump for feeding liquid fuel to an engine.In one type of internal combustion engine the fuel is fed to acarburetor.

I is inconvenient to get at the pump if set inside the tank so it is seton the fuel line. With my electrically or magnetically operated pump, astandard form can be used for various types of engines in contrast tothe diaphragm operated pumps mechanically operated by the engine. whichat present require modification and special design to suit theparticular type engine which operates it. The construction of my pump issuch that sparking elements are completely sealed off from the fuel.Further it need not be located close to the engine where engine heattends to create vapor lock.

In one form, my pump is operated from a battery which drives an electricmotor operating a commutator device which produces a rotating magneticfield which influences magnetic means inside the fuel system of theengine to rotate with said field. The rotating magnetic means drives theimpeller of a centrifugal pump inside the fuel system. In another form,the commutator mechanism is driven preferably by a belt connected to arotating part of the engine such as the water pump shaft. In the latterform there is not so much leeway in the location of the pump as in thefirst form.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon further study ofthe description and drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagram of the pump and its connections to the fuel systemof an engine.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the pump taken along the line2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a cross section of the pump taken along the line 3-3 of Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is a cross section of the pump taken along the line 4-4 of Fig.2.

Fig.5 is a cross section of the pump taken along the line 6-5 oi Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a cross section of the pump taken along the line 6-6 of Fig.2.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of the pump taken along the line ofFigs. 3, and 6.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the belt driven form of the pumptaken similarly to Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is the electrical diagram of the pump of Fig: 10 is a diagram ofthe pump showing an 8 Claims. (01. 103-87) electrical control valve forstopping its operation when too much pressure is developed in the fuelline, and

' Fig. 11 is a diagram of the electrical control valve.

The pump denoted in its entirety by the numeral I2 is connected to thebottom of fuel tank l3 by means of pipe l4, the latter entering the tankat the place usually occupied by the drainage plug. However, instead ofthe usual drainage plug, an internally and externally threaded plug i5is used into which is screwed the end of pipe I 4. A strainer I6 isprovided inside tank I3 for the end of pipe l4. In the particularembodiment of the pump shown in Figs. 1-7, the pump may be located inmany positions. It may be located near the fuel tank, whether the latteris at the rear of a car or elsewhere, or it may be located remote fromsaid tank. In a car with the tank at the rear and the engine and itscarburetor forward, the pump may be located near the carburetor.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2-7, the housing of the pump,in the particular embodiment illustrated, is composed of a plurality ofsections I9, 20, 2| and 22, held together by bolts i1 and lag screws l8.Partition section 20 has embedded therein the large diameter portion 23of fixed shaft 24. Section 20 has also embedded in it iron field polecores 26, 26. 21, 28, 29 and 30. Shaft 24 and said cores are embedded sotightly in. section 2|! that a liquid tight seal is effected betweenthem and the section. Surrounding one end of cores 26, 26, 21, 28, 29and 30 are respectively field coils 3|, 32, 33, 34, 36, and 36. Thesefield coils are interconnected as will be hereinafter explained, bywires located in annular channel 31.

I Loosely mounted on shaft 24 inside of impeller section is is a sleeve38. One end of sleeve 38 is closed and between said closed end and theend of shaft 24 is located a thrust ball bearing 38. The material ofshaft 24, sleeves 36 and and impeller 40- is of non-magnetic metal.Impeller 40, which is provided with blades 4|, is fixed to sleeve 36 asis also permanent bar magnet 42. The latter may also be fixed toimpeller 40. Section is, opposite blades 4|, is hollowed out to form avolute 43 as part of the centrifugal pump comprising impeller 40. Thefuel enters the pump from pipe l4 at the axis of impeller 40 and leavesfrom the volute through pipe 44. From pipe 44, the fuel is sent to theengine or motor, usually to the carburetor, not shown, for that type ofmotor operating with a carbure Sleeve 4' is loosely mounted on shait 24for its portion jinside commutator brush section 2|. One end of sleeve4| is closed and a thrust ball bearing 4| is located between saidclosed'end and the end or shaft :4. A permanent-bar magnet 41 is fixedto sleeve 4|. Sleeve 4| is of non-mags neticmetal. Brush holder is isalso fixed to sleeve 4!. It may also be fixed to magnet 41.

brush l2 slides over slip ring". All of the brushes are pressed intocontact with their corresponding segments and rings by compressionsprings ll. Ring II is connected tobattery 02 through binding post I!and wire ll, while ring II is connected to the battery through bindingpost 84 and wire 68. Segments II, 64, I, I1 and II are connectedrespectively to field coils SI, 22, 83.14. I! and It as shown in Fig. 9.the connectlng wires for this being omitted from the other It isessential that partition section 2| be held in liquid tight contact withimpeller section II. so that no fuel or itsvapor may reach the brushesand commutator segments and rings where spark ing may occur. SectionsI9, 20, 2i and 22 are referably made or plastic material such as one ofthe phenolic resins.

with the brushes set as shown in current ilows from the positiveterminal 01' battery l2, through wire 66 to segment 60 where it ispicked up by brush 52. From brush 2it passes through connecting bar- Itto brush 4! and irom the latter splits intosegments II and I4. Thecurrent in segment it enters coil 3! which passes around field pole core25 in a clockwise direction causing the field pole to be magnetized withthe S-pole toward the observer, that is toward permanent magnet armature41. The current after passing through coil 3i flows through wire II tocoil 34 and through the latter. C011 34 is wound around field pole core28 so that the current flows around in a counter-clockwise directioncausing the field pole comprising core 28 to" be magnetized with the Npole toward the observer, that is toward armature 41. The current enterssegment 56 from coil 34, passing into brush 50,

connecting bar 10, brush ll, slip ring 59 and finally through wire 65 tothe negative pole of battery 62. The other half of the current frombrush 49 passes into segment I4 from whence it flows through coil 32,the latter being wound around core 26 so that the current passes in aclockwise direction causing the field pole comprising core 26 to bemagnetized with the S pole toward the observer, that is toward armature41. The current after passing through coil 32 flows through wire 12 tocoil 35 and through the latter, to segment 51, brush 50, bar I0, brush5i. slip ring 59 and wire 65 to battery 62. Coil 35 p is wound aroundcore "29 so that the current 'fiows through it in a counter-clockwisedirection causing the field pole comprising core 29 to be magnetizedwith the N pole toward the observer,

that is toward armature 41. With the field poles at 25 and 28 bothmagnetized into S poles and the field poles at 34 and 35 both magnetizedinto N poles, armature 41 will move toward the poles at 28 and 35. Sowill armature 42 which has its 8 pole on a-line with the N pole ofarmature 41. Armature 42 is dragged around magnetically with m. 9, the

armature 41, because when a field pole such as the'one at 28 ismagnetized with the S poie to ward the observer, it is magnetized withN. pole away from the observer, that is adjacent rms: ture42. This holdstrue of courseyiorfali' the [field poles. so as they aresucceesively'fmagnetlud I one end will infiuence'farmature 4l' whilo theother end will influence armature 42.s'aid armatures facing each otherwith" opposite'efi'polarity. I As armature 41 moves toward the-'centeroi, j 'ma'gnetlsm between the field poles'at-ill-ai'id'llfj bush4! moves away from segmentall so-that-fit is entirely on segment 54andbrushlll is entirely on segment 51. The centers of magnetism are atthe, field poles 26 and 2!, attracting both P armature 42 and 41 to lieacross them. In this manner, as is well known to theart, brush holder 48is caused to rotate in a clockwise direction,

Figs. 5 and 9. causing. the field poles to be sucl vi cessivelymagnetized in the same direction;

when brush 48 reaches segment 5!, it sends the current through coil isina 'clockwisedirection' around core 21 and in a counter-clockwisedirec- Y tion through coil 86 via wire It; From coil It thecurrentpasses by means or brush it, bar ll,

brush I, slip ring II, wire I to battery I. The l field pole at 21 thusis S facing the observerqand the lleld poleat II is N facing theobserver. with the field poles successivelymagnetlzed'in a clockwisedirection, armature-41, and impeller 40 are also rotated in thisdirection when at them in the same direction as in Fig.5. that is to theright in Fig. 2. When viewed to the left, as in Fig. 3. the impellerappears to rotatein a counter-clockwise direction. The fuel from pipe 14enters segment it at the axis of impeller 4|, Iromwhence it is thrownout radially by blades 41 so that it ,is discharged at pipe 44 whenitheimpeller is rotated.

For engines using a carburetor, the fuel islied to the carburetorthrough pipe 44. A bypass is provided so that when more fuel is beingsupplied than is being used by the engine, the pressure in ,pipe 44rises and the fuel is forced past pressure controlled check valve 11 onpipe ll, Fig. 1, back to pipe 14. Check valve 11 prevents-"flow frompipe l4 into pipe II. and has a pressure control in it, not shown butwhich is well in the art, which prevents flow past it by ma receivedfrom pipe 44 until the-pressure oi the fuel from said pipe exceedsa'pre'cletermined amount.

An alternate to the bypass lust described-11s shown in Figs. 10 and 11.This alternate ignot a bypass. but shuts oi! the current from battery 62when the pressure in pipe 44 exceeds" a predetermined amount. A circuitbreaking valve 'II is set in pipe 44. Said valve has a chamber ll minalsBI and I2 in'battery wire 86 are insulatively mounted on the valve.These terminals are adaptedto be connected by contact piece II whenpulled against them by diaphragm l4. Tension spring normally holdsdiaphragm l4. and contact piece 83 against terminals II and '2, but whenthe'pressure in pipe 44 exceeds a predetermined amount, the tension ofspring II is I overcome and contact between said terminals is brokenstopping the action of the pump.

Provision must be made to provide againstarc-- no waste of current. onlysufficient pumping bein'g done to suit the demands of the engine.

In the alternate form shown in Fig. 8, instead of an electric motordriving the commutator mechanism it is driven by a belt 88. Belt 88 isdriven from an engine part, such as-the water pump shaft, not shown.Belt 88 engages pulley ll which is fixed upon sleeve 88. Sleeve 88 isrotatably mounted on fixed shaft 88 and has a loose fit in housingsection 88. Also fixedly mounted on sleeve 88 is a brush holder 48,which is the same as in Fig. 7. Brush holder 48 rotates in housingsection 9|. Adjacent section Si is partition section 20 which is exactlythe same as in Fig. '7, having fixed in it the larger diameter portion28 of shaft 89 and field cores and coils '28 to 36 inclusive, the latternot being seen in Fig. 8. Annular channel 81 holds the wires connectingthe field coils. Section is is the same as in Fig. 7 with magneticmember 42 and impeller 48 inside of it. The action and connections ofbrushes 48, 50, i and 52 and commutator segments II, 54, 55, 56, 51 and58 is the same as in Fig. 9 as far as magnetic member 42 is concerned.

I claim: 1. A magnetically driven fuel pump comprising a housingconsisting of a plurality of sec- .tions, means for attachin thesections to each into the first and second sections, the impeller andthe first of said members being rotatably mounted on the shaft and fixedto each other,

the impeller being driven by said first member, a brush holder and aplurality of brushes carried by the holder set in the second sectionadjacent the second of said members, the holder and said second memberbeing rotatably mounted on the shaft and fixed to each other, commutatorpieces for connection to a source of electric energy, in electricalconnection with the field poles, fixedly mounted on a third section, thebrushes, when rotating, sliding over the commutator pieces, forcontrolling their connection to the source, for effecting-thereby therotation of the impeller.

- 2. A magnetically driven fuel pump comprising a housing consisting ofa plurality of sections, means for attaching the sections to each other,

. -a centrifugal pump impeller and a magnetically influenced memberrotatably mounted in the first of the sections, a brush holder and aplurality of brushes carried by the holder rotatably mounted in thesecond section, said first and second sections being hollow, a partitionbetween said latter sections sealing off their interiors from eachother, field poles and an axially extending shaft fixedly mounted insaid partition, the shaft pro- Jecting into the first-and secondsections, the impeller and magnetically influenced member beingrotatably mounted on the shaft and fixed to each other, the impellerbeing driven by said member, mechanism for rotating the brush holder,the holder and said mechanism being rotatably mounted on the shaft infixed rotative relation to each other, commutator pieces, for connectionto a source of electric energy, in electrical connection with the fieldpoles, fixedly mounted on a third section, the brushes, when I rotating,sliding over the commutator pieces for -a,sae,sao

controlling their connection to the source, for

effecting thereby the rotation of the impeller.

3. In a fuel system of an engine comprising a fuel pump including animpeller and having pipe means connecting said pump to a fuel source andto said engine, the improvement whichconsists in providing a drive forsaid impeller, comprising a permanent magnet armature rotatably mountedinside the system, the impeller being fixed to said armature, apermanent magnet armature rotatably mounted outside of the fuel systemopposite the inside armature, a partition coming between said armatures,said partition completely sealing of! the fuel of the system frompassing out therefrom, a plurality of field poles arranged substantiallyin a circle and mounted in said partition, one end of each pole facingthe outside armature and the other end of each pole racing the insidearmature, and commutator mechanism having a rotatable part fixed to theoutside armature and a fixed part electrically connected to the poles,said mechanism, when receiving current, energizing the poles to producea rotating magnetic field, said field dragging both armatures aroundwith it, rotating the impeller thereby and effecting the flow of fuel insaid system.

4. In the fuel system of an engine comprising a fuel pump including animpeller and having pipe means connecting said pump to a fuel source andto said engine, the improvement which consists in providing a drive forsaid impeller comprising an armature of magnetic metal rotatably mountedinside the fuel system, the impeller being fixed to said armature, anarmature of magnetic metal rotatably mounted outside of the fuel systemopposite the inside armature, a partition coming between said armatures,said partition completely sealing off the fuel of the system fromvmechanism havin a rotatable part fixed to the outside armature and afixed part electrically connected to the poles, said mechanism, whenreceiving current, energizing the poles to cause rotation of the outsideand inside armatures.

5. A magnetically driven fuel pump comprising a housing consisting of aplurality of sections, means for attaching the sections together, acentrifugal pump impeller located in the first of the sections, a,magnetically influenced member in said section fixed to the impeller fordriving the .latter, mounting means in said section rotatably supportingthe impeller and said member, a brush holder and a plurality of brushescarried by the holder located in the second section, mounting means inthe second section rotatably supporting the holder, means for rotatingthe holder, a partition between said holder and the magneticallyinfluenced member sealing ofl. the first and second sections from eachother, field poles mounted in said partition in a ring opposite themagnetically influenced member, commutator pieces, for connection to asource of electric energy, in electrical connection with the fieldpoles, said pieces being fixedly mounted in a third section, the brusheswhen rotating sliding over the commutator pieces controlling theirconnection successively to the'source, energizing the field poles toproduce arotating magnetic field effecting thereby. the rotation of themagnetically influenced member and the impeller.

6. A magnetically driven fuel pump comprising a housing consisting of aplurality of sections,

,andseoond tatably supporting the impeller and member, a

second magnetically influenced member located in a second section. apartition between said magnetically influenced members sealing of! theflrst sections irom each other, fleld poles mounted in the partition ina ring between said magnetically influenced members, a brush holder, aplurality oi brushes carried by the holder, said holder being located inthe second section and fixed to the second member, mounting means in thesecond section rotatably supporting the holder and the second member.commutator pieces, tor

connection to a source or electric energy, in electrical connection withthe fleld poles, said pieces being flxedly mounted in a third section,the brushes when rotated by the holder sliding over the commutatorpieces controlling their connection successively to the source,energizing the fleld poles to produce a rotating magnetic fleldeflecting thereby the rotation of the magnetically influenced membersand the impeller.

7. In the fuel system of anengine comprising a Iuel pump including animpeller and having pipe means connecting said pump to a fuel source andto said engine, the improvement which consists in providing a drive forsaid impeller, comprising rotatably mounted magnetically influencedmeans inside the system, the impeller being flxed to said means. and anelectric motor having an armature and the rotatable part or itscommutator driven by said armature located outside or "the fuel system,and its magnetic fleld means fixedly located adjacent said magneticallyinfluenced means between said armature and said latter means, said motorwhen supplied with current having its field means induce rotation in r 6said magnetically influenced means edecting thereby the rotation 01 theimpeller.

'8. In the iuel system 0! an engine comprising a fuel pump including animpellerand havingpipemeansconnectingsaidpumptoaiuel source and to saidengine. the improvement which consists in providing a drive tor saidimpeller, comprising a permanent magnet armature rotatably mountedinside the system. the impeller being flxed to the armature. commutatormechanism, means for rotating part of said mechanism, a partition comingbetween said armature and said mechanism completely sealing oi! the fuelirom said mechanism, and a plurality oi cores and-held coils comingabout said cores. the cores being mounted in said partition. one end oreach core facing said armature, said mechanism having one partelectrically connected to the coils and its other part when rotated andreceiving current, energizing the cores to produce a rotating magneticfleld, said field dragging the armature around with it, rotating theimpeller thereby and eflecting the flow or fuel in the sys tem.

MORRIS KATCEER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile orthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

